Mar 2011 – updates

Many thanks to Mike Clarke for the information included in this write-up on the Liverpool Barge, HBA Burscough II.

 

The Irish Residential Boat Owners Association, formed last year, has just launched its new website – see IRBOA News. “The site is designed to serve as a valuable source of information for people interested in houseboat lifestyles in Ireland and as a resource for members throughout the country”. We look forward to perusing, especially the contributions to the Lifestyle section.

 

Congratulations to John, his crew and escort on your great trip to Howth. Read about it and view the video The Rambler in Dublin Bay

 

There is a recent Members Only notice in Latest News.

 

There are a few tweaks to the timetable of events, made after discussions with some of our organisers; these changes are reflected in HBA Events for 2011. If any other adjustments occur, we will alert you here.

 

The 9th National Tourism Conference is being held on the banks of the Barrow River in Carlow, from Thursday Mar 3rd to Saturday Mar 5th. The theme is A River Runs Through It, exploring heritage, adventure and tourism opportunities for Ireland’s waterways. “The conference is a great opportunity to hear from a range of expert speakers all of whom are deeply involved and hugely knowledgeable of the many facets of waterways tourism in Ireland”. It coincides with the 220th anniversary of the Barrow Navigation.

 

This report is an interesting read and gives us considerable insight into both the operational aspect of a transportation company seventy-five years ago and the day to day working conditions of the men involved on and off the barges. GCC and Court of Inquiry 1935

 

ALERT: Colin Becker writes about the jute matting trials “It’s really important that we impress on people the need for DEAD SLOW speed at these locations. Otherwise they will end up with 500 square metres of jute matting round their props”. Details of the four locations are here Jute Matting

 

Michael Slevin tells us he has “updated the Dublin Site with some “real” heavy metal in Grand Canal Dock”! See Dublin IWAI GCD ships showing ships in both the Outer and Inner Basins. Dublin IWAI Dry Dock Opening 1957 shows what the North Wall looked like in 1957 when the new Graving dock on the North Wall was opened. Both pictures and documents are courtesy of Aiden McCabe at http://www.irishships.com/

 

British Waterways is asking those who plan on attending the Olympic Games by boat to pre-book their moorings a year in advance. See Boating in London 2012

 

The official opening of the Enterprize, the Lagan lighter, will take place on Friday March 25th 2011 at the Craigavon Museum Service at Oxford Island. This boat was featured in the book ‘Fine Lines – Clear Water’ HBA Enterprize

 

News from the Industrial Heritage Association of Ireland IHAI Mar 2011

 

Gathering at Lowtown 2010 on March 19th. Photos have been added to Robertstown & Lowtown 2011

 

The proposed changes to the harbour at Sallins and the recent discussions between members of the Irish Residential Boat Owners Association and Waterways Ireland are examined in this article IWH living on the canals. Note: the proposed changes appear to affect all boat owners not just those living on boats.

 

BJG has recently uncovered some additional history on The Rambler indicating it was built in the South Midlands in England far away from the sea The Rambler

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